Cockerel that pecks

[chickenfan]

I have a young cockerel that tends to suddenly peck me very hard when I am feeding him or picking him up. He doesn't otherwise seem aggressive, so I'm not sure what this is about? Is there a good way of training him?

 

[chrismahon]

Perhaps he is trying to assert his authority Chickenfan? Or he is being impatient or just clumsy? Presumably he is in good health, so no Northern Fowl Mite or lice? He may just grow out of it and will certainly calm down as Winter approaches. The only cock we have that pecks is our pet Bottom, when he wants to be picked up for a cuddle, which is almost constantly now.

 

[dinosaw]

When being picked up it is probably just displeasure at being handled, depends what you mean by feeding him, if you are giving him food by hand then it could be just a general stop invading my space or as Chris says impatience. What I do when a chicken of either sex pecks me is sharply jab them in the head with my index finger, thus mimicking a peck, it doesn't harm them and is the closest you can come to what a dominant chicken would do when it is put out, seems to work.

 

[chickenfan]

Thank you Chris and Dinosaw. I think he is trying to assert his authority as he is in good health and not clumsy. Thank you for the useful tip about the pretend peck back. Forgot to say I think the photos of your chicks are spectacular! I hope they are getting on well. I'll be interested to hear how your Thurungian birds turn out

 

[dinosaw]

Thank you Chickenfan it's very nice of you to say so, they are all doing well bar the sickly chick, unfortunately as well as being very weak and small it turned out that the reason he/she was struggling to stand was that their left leg was completely paralysed and so with a heavy heart we took the decision to send them on their way this afternoon. We have two cases of spraddle leg but they are coming along very well with the usual treatment.

 

[chickenfan]

I am really sorry to hear about your weaker chick being paralysed in one leg and that you have had to send it on its way. My sympathies. I hope the rest of the brood is coming on well.

 

[elmdene]

Just going back to the pecking thing - Basil used to do the same when he was young. I feed them their corn in the afternoons by hand and he used to wait for the very last beakful and then peck my hand really hard and hold on, which was quite painful. He did grow out of it though and turned into a real softy, unless you had exposed toes.